The President of Poland’s Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK) has fined 11 geodetic and cartographic firms nearly PLN 1.8 million (USD 440,000) for bid-rigging in public procurement. UOKiK also initiated antitrust proceedings against seven laundry service companies for alleged collusion in hospital tenders.
Geodetic Sector Fined for Collusion
An investigation revealed that 11 firms formed large consortia to manipulate public tenders, submitting joint bids and dividing contracts among themselves. Some companies participated in tenders without performing any work, eliminating competition. Fined entities include Geokart-International and OPGK Rzeszów.
Laundry Services Under Investigation
Antitrust proceedings target companies like Citonet-Kraków and Tom-Marg ZPCH for collusion in hospital tenders across multiple regions. Evidence, including mobile app messages, suggests price-fixing and coordinated bid withdrawals to ensure higher-priced offers won contracts.
Consequences of Bid-Rigging
Bid-rigging undermines public procurement by inflating costs, ultimately harming taxpayers. Companies found guilty face fines up to 10% of their turnover, while managers can be fined up to 2 million PLN.
UOKiK encourages whistleblowers to report anti-competitive practices anonymously via its secure online system or by contacting its leniency program.
Source: https://uokik.gov.pl/zmowy-przetargowe-pod-lupa-prezesa-uokik
